By El Amigo
MANILA — In the first quarter Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by independent pollster OCTA Research, the Department of Education (DepEd) emerged as the most trusted and highest-performing government agency.
During the survey conducted from March 11-14, 2024, DepEd garnered an impressive 82 percent trust rating, leading ahead of other key government bodies.
Following closely behind were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DoH) with 79 percent each, while the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) secured a commendable 73 percent, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) obtained a solid 71 percent.
DepEd’s trust ratings soared highest in Mindanao, reaching an impressive 94 percent, and among socioeconomic classes D and E, registering at 85 percent and 71 percent, respectively.
Moreover, DepEd showcased outstanding performance, leading the pack among government agencies in the first quarter of 2024 with an 84 percent performance rating. Trailing closely were DoH at 80 percent, DSWD at 77 percent, CHEd at 73 percent, and DPWH at 72 percent.
Once again, DepEd’s performance ratings shone brightest in Mindanao, achieving an impressive 95 percent. Similarly, it excelled among those in socioeconomic class E, boasting an 89 percent performance rating.
The survey encompassed 1,200 respondents and maintained a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — Believe it or not only one (1) school in Metro Manila passed the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 global comprehension survey.
Yes, only one public school in Metro Manila hurdled the minimum proficiency level as confirmed by a Department of Education (DepEd) official on Wednesday (07 Feb 2024) during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
Jocelyn Andaya, the DepEd National Capital Region (NCR) director, disclosed that Benigno S. Aquino High School in Makati City was the sole public school from Metro Manila to achieve this milestone among all participating institutions.
Andaya further noted that besides Benigno S. Aquino High School, five additional schools met the assessment’s standards, but they were all private institutions.
“In NCR, there was just one from the public [schools] of the 21 [that participated in PISA]… It’s Benigno Aquino [High School],” she stated.
The 2022 PISA, conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), covered subjects such as reading, mathematics, and science, along with an evaluation of students’ critical thinking and financial literacy skills, with a primary emphasis on mathematics.
Senator Win Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, emphasized the importance of utilizing the PISA results to develop solutions for the challenges within the Philippine education system.
“How do we go up? How do we implement solutions so that we will improve learner performance?” questioned Gatchalian.
Meanwhile, Senator Nancy Binay advocated for a reevaluation of teaching methodologies, proposing a shift towards practical applications of lessons rather than mere memorization.
“It’s difficult to break old habits. The big question is how do we teach our new teachers? Maybe it’s time to revisit and change the curriculum on how we are teaching our teachers as well,” remarked Binay.
The Philippines ranked as the sixth lowest among the 81 countries and economies participating in the 2022 PISA, with Filipino learners demonstrating continued struggles in mathematics and reading comprehension.
According to the 2022 PISA report, 7,193 students from 188 schools in the Philippines completed assessments in mathematics, reading, or science, representing approximately 1,782,900 individual 15-year-old students, equivalent to an estimated 83% of the total population of 15-year-olds.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — In a significant collaboration, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Cebu City government have joined forces for the hosting of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio, alongside Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, formalized the partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to ensure meticulous preparation for this year’s Palarong Pambansa.
The signing ceremony took place at the Community Hall on the 9th floor of the Cebu City Hall Executive Building.
Duterte emphasized the commitment to supporting young athletes, stating, “We affirm our unwavering dedication to strengthening our support for young athletes. Our primary goal is to equip them with the necessary tools to nurture discipline, resilience, and the indomitable spirit required to pursue their athletic passions.” This statement was released in a press release on the DepEd official website.
Cebu City is well-prepared for the occasion, hosting the prestigious annual multi-sporting event for the third time (after 1954 and 1994). Cebu City Sports Commission chairman John Pages expressed anticipation for the event, noting, “We’ve been waiting for 30 years for this moment.
The Cebu City Sports Center was built 30 years ago, specifically to host Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City.”
Under the terms of the MOA, DepEd will collaborate with Cebu City to ensure security, transportation, communication provisions, and other competition requirements.
Meanwhile, Cebu City will establish the Local Palaro Executive Committee (LPEC) and Secretariat, and secure funding for the tournament – particularly for the construction and renovation of sports facilities, billeting quarters, and other infrastructural necessities for the Palaro host.
Having been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marikina City hosted the Palarong Pambansa last year. The 2019 edition took place in Davao City for elementary and high school students.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) has recently resumed the distribution of learning resources for students, according to an announcement made on Friday (15 Dec 2023).
This decision comes amid an ongoing investigation in the House of Representatives regarding alleged unsettled warehouse fees owed by the DepEd to Transpac Cargo Logistics. Transpac was hired to provide logistics, warehousing, and tagging services for the learning equipment.
In an official statement, the DepEd disclosed that its Regional and Division offices promptly initiated the hauling of goods after receiving a letter from Transpac, allowing them to retrieve the stored items in warehouses starting the first week of December 2023.
The DepEd aims to complete the haul and deliver the goods to public schools in the coming weeks, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the public interest and ensuring uninterrupted education services for learners and stakeholders.
Contrary to some reports, the DepEd clarified that the issue is not merely about unpaid warehouse fees. Payment to service providers is contingent on the fulfillment of obligations and the submission of complete documentation, adhering to accounting, auditing, and other relevant regulations for fund disbursement. The DepEd appealed to the public to remain vigilant against the spread of false and misleading information.
The DepEd procured the services of Transpac Logistics in 2021, with the contract effective from October 8, 2021, to June 30, 2022. However, Transpac failed to fulfill its delivery obligations on time. Despite continuous efforts to resolve the issue, including legal proceedings initiated on Nov. 22, 2023, the DepEd was compelled to partially terminate its contract with Transpac on Aug. 30, 2023, under the Procurement Law.
In response to the situation, House Resolution No. 1516 was filed by members of the House of Representatives, urging the Committees on Public Accounts and Basic Education to investigate the matter. The resolution aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged unpaid warehouse fees and the delivery failures by Transpac Cargo Logistics.
(ai/mnm)
By Amado Inigo
MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) has secured its position as the most trusted and highest-performing government agency, as revealed in the latest survey conducted by OCTA Research.
The Third Quarter Tugon ng Masa survey, conducted from September 30 to October 4, showcased DepEd with an impressive 79 percent trust rating.
Following closely were the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at 75 percent, with the Department of Health (DoH) closely trailing at 74 percent, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development at 73 percent.
DepEd’s stellar performance was particularly notable in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, where it garnered an impressive 88 percent trust rating, while Balanced Luzon reported the lowest at 70 percent.
Breaking down the trust ratings across socio-economic classes, DepEd stood out with the highest trust ratings among classes D and E, earning 80 percent and 78 percent, respectively.
In contrast, Class ABC registered the lowest trust rating at 69 percent.
Not only did DepEd lead in trust ratings, but it also claimed the top spot in the list of best-performing government agencies, boasting an 80 percent performance rating.
Following closely were the Department of Social Welfare and Development at 75 percent, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Health at 74 percent each, with the Commission on Higher Education at 73 percent.
DepEd’s stellar performance extended across the nation, with performance ratings ranging from 72 percent to an impressive 91 percent.
The Visayas region emerged with the highest performance rating at 91 percent, closely followed by Mindanao at 88 percent, while Balanced Luzon reported a respectable 72 percent.
In striking contrast, the Department of Budget and Management recorded the lowest performance rating at 32 percent.
The survey, encompassing 1,200 respondents nationwide, maintains a margin of error of plus or minus three percent nationwide and six percent across major regions.
(ai/mnm)
The Department of Education has conducted a workshop and Awareness Campaign on UN Observances, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Programs, and Philippine Commemorations.
The workshop was held last November 28 to 30 in Quezon City. It aims to introduce the activities of UNESCO.
“Layunin ng nasabing aktibidad na ipakilala ang iba’t ibang UN observances, UNESCO programs, at iba’t ibang Philippine commemorations sa lahat ng mga kawani ng Kagawaran lalo na sa mga Araling Panlipunan supervisors at education program specialists,” DepEd said.
The said program also emphasized the gathering of suggested activities for other UN observances that can be carried out in schools and DepEd field offices.
The program was implemented under the leadership of the International Cooperation Office together with the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching.
By Liezelle Soriano
THE Department of Education announced Saturday that there will be no class suspension next week despite the transport strike.
Operators announced that they will be conducting a transport strike beginning Monday which will last for three days.
In its advisory, DepEd said, “No cancellation of classes will be issued by the Department of Education.”
“Unless local government units announce cancellation and/or suspension of classes in their respective jurisdictions, schools shall hold classes without disruption.”
Transportation group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide said that the move was due to their dissatisfaction with the proposed amendments to the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines.
“Itong franchise consolidation ang unang hakbang sa pang-aagaw sa kabuhayan ng mga tsuper at operator,” Piston national president Mody Floranda said.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
The Philippine National Police-Caraga, Department of Education, and Commission on Higher Education have inked a partnership to ensure the protection of the students against crimes and recruitment from terrorist groups.
The three agencies signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Monday, October 23.
Under the partnership, a Student Crime Prevention Committee will be created which will be composed of the Supreme Student Council president as the chairperson, the SSC vice president as the vice chairperson, presidents or vice presidents of high school, senior high school, and all courses at the college level as members of the committee, and the secretary of the SSC.
Additionally, lectures and seminar workshops on crime prevention and criminal justice, counter-terrorism awareness, drug awareness, and community involvement will also be conducted and held at school campuses.
On the other hand, the PNP also has its own program called “Pulis Ko, Teacher Ko” in which police officers who are licensed teachers will guide the students to enhance their moral foundation and strengthen resistance to CTG recruitment activities and other crimes.
“We need to protect our students, as they are the most vulnerable sector targeted by the CTG for recruitment. We have a solemn responsibility to protect and guide them away from the clutches of such organizations and ensure they have the opportunity to grow in a safe environment,” the three agencies said.
By Liezelle Soriano
KINUMPIRMA ng Department of Education nitong Martes na pinatawan ng 90 araw na preventive suspension ang guro na umano’y nanampal sa isang 14-anyos na estudyante sa Antipolo City na nagresulta sa kanyang kamatayan.
Ayon sa ulat ng DZBB, ang suspensiyon ay ipinataw habang isinasagawa ang administrative proceedings laban sa guro.
Nilinaw naman ng DepEd na hindi parusa ang suspensiyon kundi bahagi lamang ng preventive measures habang nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon.
Namatay ang biktimang si Francis Jay Gumikib matapos ma-coma ilang araw makaraan umanong sampalin ng kanyang guro sa Filipino subject sa Peñafrancia Elementary School.
Inaasahang ilalabas ang resulta ng medico-legal examination sa susunod na linggo, ayon sa hepe ng Medico-Legal Division ng Philippine National Police Forensics Group.
Samantala, nagsasagawa rin ang Commission on Human Rights ng sarili nilang imbestigasyon sa insidente.
By Dang Samson-Garcia
THE Department of Education, Office of the Vice President and several other agencies will get zero confidential funds next year as the House of Representatives has decided to align such funds under the proposed P5.768-trillion budget.
House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairman Stella Quimbo confirmed that the House’s small panel agreed to reallocate P194 billion, including the P1.23 billion confidential fund, to other items that address the rising cost of commodities and develop and protect the West Philippine Sea.
“Our panel introduced P194 billion worth of institutional amendments. The main goal was to rationalize the allocation of resources to fight inflation, invest in human capital and in our country’s future,” Quimbo said.
Other agencies that lost their confidential fund allocation are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Information and Communications Technology and Department of Foreign Affairs.
The P1.23 billion will go to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, P300 million; P100 million to the National Security Council; P200 million to the Philippine Coast Guard for intelligence activities and ammunition; and P381.8 million to the Department of Transportation for airport development and expansion of Pag-asa Island Airport.
THE Department of Education on Friday warned teachers against a car loan scam.
At least 29 teachers were victimized by the scam that reportedly started in Pampanga.
The DepEd said the teachers have filed charges against the suspects.
The perpetrators allegedly enticed teachers with financial problems to apply for a car loan in exchange for a certain amount of cash, including the downpayment for the unit.
However, the victims are abandoned once the mortgaged cars are turned over to them.
“We remind outreaching and non-teaching personnel and the public as well, to remain vigilant against financial scams,” it said.
The DepEd urged other victims to report to depedactioncenter@deped.gov.ph or 863-1663 and 863-1943.
By Vergel Labesig, Liezelle Soriano
THE Department of Education has formed a fact-finding investigation team to probe the death of a 14-year-old student in Antipolo City who was slapped by his teacher last September 20.
The DepEd office in Antipolo said it is taking appropriate action to address the alleged child abuse incident in Penafrancia Elementary School.
“We have already forwarded the required intake sheet, incident report and narrative report to the Office of the Regional Director of DepEd Region IV-A for information and appropriate action,” it said.
“As the disciplining Authority, the Office of the Regional Director has issued an order designating a fact-finding investigation team and directing the committee to conduct immediate, cautious and comprehensive fact-finding investigation in recognition of the right of both parties to be heard as part of due process,” it added.
DepEd Antipolo said the school principal has assigned an alternate teacher to handle the classes of the concerned teacher who went on leave.
“We are saddened by the death of our dear learner and we express our deepest condolences and prayers to the bereaved family,” DepEd said.
A report said the victim, Francis Jay Minggoy Gumikib, a Grade 5 student, was hit by his teacher Mirasol Sison which allegedly caused the victim to suffer a severe headache.
On September 26, 2023, because of the intolerable pain, the victim’s mother rushed him to the Amang Memorial Medical Center but the student later fell into a coma. He died on October 2, 2023.
By Liezelle Soriano
SISIMULAN sa Setyembre 25 ang pilot run ng bagong K-10 curriculum sa basic education sa mga piling eskwelahan sa bansa, ayon sa Department of Education.
Nasa 35 eskwelahan ang lalahok sa pilot run ng MATATAG K-10 curriculum na inilunsad noong Agosto 10.
Batay sa listahang ibinigay ng DepEd sa mga miyembro ng media, limang eskwelahan ang napili sa bawat isa sa pitong rehiyon na lalahok sa pilot testing.
Ang mga lalahok na eskwelahan ay ang mga sumusunod:
Cordillera Administrative Region
- Calafug ES
- Rizal Elementary School
- Dona Aurora NHS
- Lam-ayan Integrated School
- Bineng NHS
National Capital Region
- Dampalit Integrated School
- Santiago Syjuco Memorial School
- Muzon ES
- Tinajeros NHS
- Santiago Syjuco Memorial ISS
Region 1
- Cabaruan Integrated School
- Caba CES
- Acao Elementarv School
- Casacristo NHS
- Don Rufino Olarte MNHS
Region 2
- Cauayan North CS
- Dingading IS
- Villa Teresita PS
- Lanna National High School
- Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo NHS
Region 7
- Tindog Integrated School
- San Fernando North CES
- Tabogon Central ES
- Dumanjug NHS
- Liloan NHS
Region 12
- Mlang Pilot ES
- Lamlifew Integrated School
- Alegria Central ES
- Malalag NHS-Upo Annex
- Alegria NHS
CARAGA
- Baobaoan IS
- Suyangan ES
- Santiago CES
- Socorro NHS
- Pedro D. Duncano NHS
Ang phased implementation ng bagong K-10 curriculum sa mga mag-aaral sa Kinder, Grade 1, Grade 4, at Grade 7 ay sisimulan sa School Year 2024-2025.
Susundan ito ng Grades 2, 5, at 8 sa SY 2025-2026; Grades 3, 6 at 9 sa SY 2026-2027; at Grade 10 sa SY 2027-2028.
(by Dang Samson Garcia)
ACT TEACHERS Party-list Representative France Castro called on the Department of Education to restore the accurate historical representation of the martial law period in textbooks used in schools.
Castro also urged her fellow legislators to join her in defending the truth and ensuring that the next generation is aware of the atrocities and human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
“The decision to remove Marcos from the term ‘Diktadurang Marcos’ is a clear revision of history and an insult to the countless victims of human rights abuses and atrocities committed during the martial law period,” Castro said.
“This is a clear violation of Republic Act 10368 or Marcos Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 and the DepEd should know this,” Castro emphasized.
The teacher turned lawmaker said that she believes that it is the duty of teachers to teach the truth to the younger generation.
She said that by removing “Marcos” from the term, the nation is denying students the opportunity to fully understand the historical context and the impact of martial law on our nation.
“This decision is a disservice to their education and a disservice to the pursuit of historical truth,” she stressed.
“Just because the current president is the son of the Dictator Marcos doesn’t mean that we should erase his family’s name from the proper term for name for the dictatorship,” she added.
(by Dang Samson Garcia)
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros urged the Department of Education to prioritize the School-Based Mental Health Program to boost the safety of the country’s learning environment.
In her manifestation after the chamber approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 2200 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act, Hontiveros said that a school-based mental health program should be given funding priority.
“I do hope that our education authorities will be up to the challenge of institutionalizing and sustaining mental health programs in our schools,” she said.
“Buo po ang paniniwala ko na itong panukalang batas na pinasa natin for third reading ngayon would complement and further strengthen our existing Mental Health Act o RA 11036 na atin ding isinabatas five years ago,” Hontiveros said.
She said that students and their families will greatly benefit from accessible school-based mental health services.
These services can address academic stress self-injurious and harmful behaviors such as suicide.
By Vergel Labesig
MARIING itinanggi ng Department of Education na may ‘political pressure’ sa naging hakbang nito na palitan ang terminong “Diktadurang Marcos” ng “Diktadura’ sa kurikulum ng Araling Panlipunan para sa Grade 6 students sa ilalim ng MATATAG curriculum.
“Wala pong ganoong pressure kahit kanino. Ito ay academic discourse na nakapaloob sa aming strand (curriculum and teaching strand),” sabi ni DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development Director Jocelyn Andaya sa isang press briefing online Lunes ng hapon.
“It is an academic discourse that we always observe and follow as we review and revise the curriculum,” dagdag pa niya.
Tiniyak din ni Andaya sa publiko na walang historical revisionism sa nasabing hakbang.
“Hindi po iyan revisionism because ultimately and inevitably in the discussion of this it will always leave to kung sino ang magpapatupad nito. So, wala pong revisionism dito,” ani Andaya.
“Hindi po maaaring hindi banggitin ang pangalang Ferdinand Marcos Sr. sa pagtatalakay sa paksa ng diktadura. Kaya wala pong revisionism na nangyari dito at hindi naman natin papayagan ‘yun,” dagdag pa nya.
Kamakailan ay binatikos ng Alliance of Concerned Teachers at ng Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy ang hakbang na ito ng DepEd kung saan inakusahan nila ang kagawaran sa paglilihis ng kasaysayan o historical revisionism.
By Dang Samson Garcia
PAG-AARALAN ng Senado kung maaaring ilipat sa regular funding ang ilang gastusin na nasa ilalim ng confidential fund ng Department of Education para sa 2024.
Ito ang binigyang-diin ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri upang hindi lumobo ang hinihinging confidential fund ng ahensiya.
Partikular na tinukoy ng Senate leader ang pagpopondo sa pagtatayo ng Last Mile Schools na naglalayong mailayo ang mga estudyante sa mga komunista.
“Kung kaya natin ilagay sa regular budget nila, kung may tulong sa Last Mile Schools advocacy na mawala ang communist rebels, influence sa mga last mile school tingnan natin kung baka puwedeng ilagay ‘yan sa kanilang Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses na lang o capital outlay,” pahayag ni Zubiri sa panayam ng DWIZ.
“Kung magtatayo ng additional infrastructure like dorm type facility para hindi na kailangang bumalik at umakyat teachers dyan para mabantayan nila ang population at hindi maimpluwensiyahan that can be done through insertion in capital outlay, halimbawa lang po ‘yan,” paliwanag ni Zubiri.
“Kung pwede ilagay sa MOOE o personnel services puwede natin gawin para hindi lolobo ang CIF ng ahensiya na sa tingin namin, hindi dapat makakuha ng ganun kalaki,” giit pa ng senador.
Una nang binuo ng Senado ang Special Oversight Committee on Confidential and Intelligence Fund upang masuri ang paggastos ng pondo ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno.
Ito ay upang matukoy kung dapat pang tanggalin, tapyasan o dagdagan ang hinihinging confidential at intelligence fund ng mga departamento ng pamahalaan.
By Liezelle Soriano
THE Department of Education urged the public to watch out against fake news following the emergence of a fake memorandum on teachers’ rest day.
The memo titled “DepEd Memo re: Two Weeks of Rest Days in Celebration of Teachers’ Day Month” was circulated online.
“During this period, teachers are encouraged to take a break from their regular duties and focus on self-care and personal being. School administrators are kindly requested to ensure that teachers are not burdened with additional work during this time,” the fake memo read.
The department has asked authorities to investigate the source of the fake memorandum.
It called on the public to be vigilant against misinformation.
By Vergel Labesig
THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers expressed deep dismay and concern over the Department of Education’s justification for its request for confidential funds saying its focus on issues beyond its primary mandate only undermines the urgent and pressing needs of the education system.
The group issued the statement after DepEd claimed that 16 public high schools in the National Capital Region are sites for New People’s Army’s recruitment.
“We find DepEd’s rationale for seeking confidential funds feeble and questionable. The shortages are enormous, and these are the real issues plaguing our education system. It is absurd that DepEd Sec. Sara Duterte asserts that education is intertwined with national security while she fails to see that poor learners’ performance is directly interrelated with the classroom and other education shortages,” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.
“Nasa 150,000 dagdag na classrooms ang kailangan para tugunan ang kakulangan habang nasa 13 million armchairs ang kulang para sa bilang ng enrollees ngayong taong panuruan. Kung tunay na nagmamalasakit ang DepEd sa seguridad ng mga mag-aaral, dapat binibigyan nito ng sapat na classrooms at learning materials. Patunay ang bumulaga sa aming lagay ng classrooms nitong class opening na hinati na sa gitna, nasa higit 50 pa ang mag-aaral sa isang klase,” Quetua added.
ACT reiterated its call for confidential funds to be rechanneled to resolve the learning crisis and address enormous shortages in classroom, teachers, education support personnel, and teaching and learning resources.
“Hindi kailangan ng DepEd ng pondo para sa confidential funds. Hindi trabaho ng ahensya ang national security. Hindi malulutas ng confidential funds ang lawak at lalim ng learning crisis. Malinaw na mas prayoridad ni VP Sara Duterte ang mag-function bilang NTF-ELCAC Vice Chair kaysa bilang DepEd Secretary,” Quetua said.